Molecular & Structural Biology

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Discovery of novel pathway offers a potential solution for preventing cancer chemo-resistance

Researchers have uncovered a novel pathway that explains how cancer cells become resistant to chemotherapies, which in turn offers a potential solution for preventing chemo-resistance.

20 Sep 2022

Cell's anti-aging structures can set the damage threshold a cancer cell can sustain, study shows

A new study led by Claus M. Azzalin, group leader at Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes- iMM and published today in the prestigious scientific journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) shows, for the first time, that the cell's anti-aging structures – the telomeres – can set the damage threshold a cancer cell can sustain and above which cells cannot continue to divide and die.

20 Sep 2022

Molecular engineered low-cost highly effective RBD-based COVID vaccine

In a recent study posted to the bioRxiv* preprint server, an international team of researchers developed a second-generation severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) receptor binding domain (RBD) antigen (RBD-J6) by molecular engineering with two additional amino acid (aa) substitutions (S383D and L518D mutations) in a hydrophobic cryptic RBD core epitope to enhance stability and expression against SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs).

19 Sep 2022

Researchers reveal native 3D structure of the ciliary base for the first time

Cilia are small hair-like organelles that extend from cells and perform many functions, including motility and signaling.

19 Sep 2022

Research uncovers novel predictors of immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy for melanoma

Immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy is a type of treatment for melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, which blocks proteins on tumor or immune cells that prevent the immune system from killing cancer cells.

19 Sep 2022

Researchers identify universal features shaping organelle gene retention

Mitochondria are compartments – so-called "organelles" -- in our cells that provide the chemical energy supply we need to move, think, and live.

16 Sep 2022

Research reveals pivotal role of C/EBPb in the development of alveolar macrophages

If a secretion in the lungs’ alveoli is not cleared regularly, breathing difficulties can develop. In a study published in Science Immunology, a team led by Alexander Mildner and Achim Leutz has now explained the pivotal role of the transcription factor C/EBPb in this process.

16 Sep 2022

Lab experiments add further evidence to the bradykinin storm theory of COVID-19’s viral pathogenesis

A new paper published in Nature Communications adds further evidence to the bradykinin storm theory of COVID-19's viral pathogenesis -; a theory that was posited two years ago by a team of researchers at the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

16 Sep 2022

Machine learning can help create proteins much more accurately, quickly than previously possible

Over the past two years, machine learning has revolutionized protein structure prediction. Now, three papers in Science describe a similar revolution in protein design.

15 Sep 2022

Study investigates link between plasma miRNAs and cognitive function among cognitively normal men

A new research paper was published on the cover of Aging (listed as "Aging (Albany NY)" by Medline/PubMed and "Aging-US" by Web of Science) Volume 14, Issue 17, entitled, "Extracellular microRNA and cognitive function in a prospective cohort of older men: The Veterans Affairs Normative Aging Study."

15 Sep 2022

Scientists unravel the molecular origin of rare genetic disease cystinosis

The rare genetic disease cystinosis is caused by mutations in the gene for a protein called cystinosin. A team of scientists has now solved the structure of cystinosin and determined how mutations interfere with its normal function, providing insights into the underlying mechanisms and suggesting a way to develop new treatments for the disease.

15 Sep 2022

Understanding what happens when two gut microbiomes clash together

Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) – the transfer of lower intestinal fluids and microbes from one individual to another – is sometimes used to treat inflammatory gut diseases, including ulcerative colitis and bacterial infections.

15 Sep 2022

Defensosomes versus COVID-19

In a recent study published in the journal PLoS Biology, researchers investigated the role of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2)-containing defensive exosomes, or 'defensosomes' against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections.

14 Sep 2022

Large molecules glom together into dense droplets to create squishy circuits in cells

An emerging field explores how groups of molecules condense together inside cells, the way oil droplets assemble and separate from water in a vinaigrette.

14 Sep 2022

MIT researchers use new technique to gather insight into repetitive protein sequences

About 70 percent of all human proteins include at least one sequence consisting of a single amino acid repeated many times, with a few other amino acids sprinkled in. These "low-complexity regions" are also found in most other organisms.

13 Sep 2022

Researchers uncover the structure of protein fibrils linked to hereditary form of human prion disease

In a new study, researchers from the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine have identified the structure of protein fibrils linked to a hereditary form of human prion disease.

12 Sep 2022

Neuroscientists reveal precise connections between retinal nerve cells and the midbrain structure

For the first time, neuroscientists from Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin and the Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence (currently in the process of being established) have revealed the precise connections between sensory neurons inside the retina and the superior colliculus, a structure in the midbrain.

12 Sep 2022

Jumping gene plays an important role in reducing depression, fear, and anxiety

First characterized in Prof. Tadashi Yamamoto's former lab in Japan in 1996, the gene Tob is well known for the role it plays in cancer. Previous research has also indicated that it has a hand in regulating the cell cycle and the body's immune response.

9 Sep 2022

Label-free trace detection of bio-molecules by LI-SERS method

A new publication from Opto-Electronic Advances; DOI 10.29026/oea.2022.210121 discusses label-free trace detection of bio-molecules by liquid-interface assisted surface-enhanced Raman scattering using a microfluidic chip.

9 Sep 2022

Molecular probes can track the progress of protein that misbehaves in neurodegenerative diseases

A team of researchers from the IIT-Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (Italian Institute of Technology) has designed in silico "molecular probes" able to track the progress of a protein that misbehaves in different neurodegenerative diseases, such as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and Fronto-Temporal Dementia (FTD).

9 Sep 2022

Molecular & Structural Biology

Discovery of novel pathway offers a potential solution for preventing cancer chemo-resistance

Cell's anti-aging structures can set the damage threshold a cancer cell can sustain, study shows

Molecular engineered low-cost highly effective RBD-based COVID vaccine

Researchers reveal native 3D structure of the ciliary base for the first time

Research uncovers novel predictors of immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy for melanoma

Researchers identify universal features shaping organelle gene retention

Research reveals pivotal role of C/EBPb in the development of alveolar macrophages

Lab experiments add further evidence to the bradykinin storm theory of COVID-19’s viral pathogenesis

Machine learning can help create proteins much more accurately, quickly than previously possible

Study investigates link between plasma miRNAs and cognitive function among cognitively normal men

Scientists unravel the molecular origin of rare genetic disease cystinosis

Understanding what happens when two gut microbiomes clash together

Defensosomes versus COVID-19

Large molecules glom together into dense droplets to create squishy circuits in cells

MIT researchers use new technique to gather insight into repetitive protein sequences

Researchers uncover the structure of protein fibrils linked to hereditary form of human prion disease

Neuroscientists reveal precise connections between retinal nerve cells and the midbrain structure

Jumping gene plays an important role in reducing depression, fear, and anxiety

Label-free trace detection of bio-molecules by LI-SERS method

Molecular probes can track the progress of protein that misbehaves in neurodegenerative diseases

Small solutions for big problems in drug discovery and delivery

Professor Nancy Ip: Pioneering New Paths in Neurodegenerative Therapy

Utilizing process Raman in optimizing cultivated meat production

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